Apparatus for connecting sucker rods

ABSTRACT

A apparatus having an elongate body having an exterior surface, a first end and a second end. A first coupling is positioned at the first end which adapted to mate with a first sucker rod. A second coupling is positioned at the second end which is adapted to mate with a second sucker rod to form a sucker rod string. At least one helical fin spiralling around at least a portion of the exterior surface of the body, such that, upon rotation of the sucker string, the at least one helical fin creates fluid movement.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for connecting sucker rods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presently, connectors are used to connect one sucker rod to another in end to end fashion. When the sucker rods are connected in end to end fashion, they make up the mechanical link from a unit on the surface to the sucker rod pump at the bottom of a well. The sucker rod pump lifts fluid to the surface by rotating the sucker rods in a tubing string in a borehole. Presently, boxes or heavy coupling elements are used when connection one sucker rod to another sucker rod.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is required is a connector for sucker rods which assists the flow of fluid by propelling the fluid during rotation of a sucker rod string.

According to the present invention there is provided A apparatus having an elongate body having an exterior surface, a first end and a second end. A first coupling is positioned at the first end which adapted to mate with a first sucker rod. A second coupling is positioned at the second end which is adapted to mate with a second sucker rod to form a sucker rod string. At least one helical fin spiralling around at least a portion of the exterior surface of the body, such that, upon rotation of the sucker string, the at least one helical fin creates fluid movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view in section of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the apparatus connecting two sucker rods together;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment, a connector for sucker rods generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3. An alternative embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

Structure and Relationship of Parts:

Referring to FIG. 1 there is provide an apparatus generally referenced as numeral 10 which operates as a connector for sucker rods. Apparatus 10 has an elongate body 12 with an exterior surface 14, a first end 16 and a second end 18. Referring to FIG. 3, a first coupling 20 is positioned at the first end 16 which is adapted to mate with a first sucker rod 22. A second coupling 24 is positioned at the second end 18 which adapted to mate with a second sucker rod 26 to form a sucker rod string 28. Referring to FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, first coupling 20 has a threaded bore 30 which is adapted to be treaded onto first sucker rod 22 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Second coupling 24 also has a threaded bore 32 which is adapted to be threaded onto second sucker rod 26 as illustrated in FIG. 3. It will be appreciated that first coupling 20 and second coupling 24 could also use different means of mating with first sucker rod 22 and second sucker rod 26. Referring to FIG. 3, apparatus 10 can be used to connect a number of sucker rods together in end to end fashion to create sucker rod string 28 of a desired length.

Referring to FIG. 1, a helical fin 34 spirals around a portion of the exterior surface 14 of body 12, such that, upon rotation of sucker string 28 illustrated in FIG. 3, helical fin 34 creates fluid movement. In the illustrated embodiment, apparatus 10 is illustrated as having a single helical fin 34, although it will be appreciated that apparatus 10 could incorporate more than one helical fin 34.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of apparatus generally referenced by numeral 100. With alternative embodiment 100, helical fin spirals around the elongate body from the first end to the second end.

Operation:

Referring to FIG. 3, apparatus 10 can be used to connect a number of sucker rods together in end to end fashion to create sucker rod string 28 of a desired length. To do so, first coupling 20 threadably mated with first sucker rod 22. Second sucker rod 26 is threadably mated to second coupling 24. Upon rotation of sucker rod string, 28, helical fin 34 creates fluid movement to assist in moving fluid to the surface as shown by arrows 36. The apparatus could be used with sucker rod installations that are used in directional drilling as well.

Cautionary Warnings:

In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims. 

1. A apparatus, comprising an elongate body having an exterior surface, a first end and a second end; a first coupling positioned at the first end adapted to mate with a first sucker rod; a second coupling positioned at the second end adapted to mate with a second sucker rod to form a sucker rod string; and at least one raised profile spiralling around at least a portion of the exterior surface of the body, such that, upon rotation of the sucker string, the at least one helical fin creates fluid movement.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one raised profile is a helical fin.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one raised profile spirals around the exterior surface of elongate body from the first end to the second end.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the at least one raised profile spirals around the first coupling and along the exterior surface and around the second coupling.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the first coupling has a threaded bore adapted to receive a threaded end of the first sucker rod.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the second coupling has a threaded bore adapted to receive a threaded end of the second sucker rod. 